One Visayas e-Newsletter Vol 3 Issue 46

Vol 3

Issue 46

In this Issue WESTERN VISAYAS

Regional directors from various national government agencies in Western Visayas brief Senate President Franklin Drilon on the present situation of typhoon-affected provinces, agency actions, and damages brought about by typhoon Yolanda at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol Friday afternoon.

(LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

More on Region 6, pages 2-3.

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CENTRAL VISAYAS

Nov. 11 - 17, 2013

Published by: PIA 6, 7 & 8

Int’l community to help in Capiz rehab activities BY: JEMIN B. GUILLERMO ROXAS CITY, Capiz, . (PIA6) – The International Community has pledged its support to help Capiceños in coping with the wrath of super typhoon Yolanda.

Provincial Administrator lawyer Jose O. Villanueva, who is also the Official Spokesperson of the Provincial Government of Capiz, disclosed that a group of international community institutions composed of representatives from the World Food Programme, Canadian Embassy, Red Cross and UNICEF are here in Capiz to help the province after the said typhoon heavily affected almost all Capiceños.

He said that in his briefing to the international community, November 14, at the Provincial Capitol, the Canadian Embassy confirmed that they are bringing in to the province members of the Armed Forces and their equipment to help in rehabilitation activities.

Villanueva also said that the Canadian Armed Forces will establish their temporary camp at the Villareal Stadium and will be staying here for at least two months.

“We are happy that in our times of distress after the typhoon devastated us, there are people and organizations here and abroad who are there to lend us their assistance,” he said, pointing out that this gesture has lightened the burden of the Capiceños in some ways.

Villanueva said that Governor Victor Tanco and the entire people of Capiz are very appreciative of the willingness and enthusiasm of everybody to help.

In particular, he cited the University of the Philippines, Philippine National Police Regional Office 6, Federation of Davao Volunteer Fire Brigade, Ford Tractors, Provincial Government of Sultan Kudarat for their relief assistance and pledges to ease the burden of the people here.

Villanueva also acknowledged the continued effort of the various private, civic and volunteer groups and organizations as well as individuals in the province in helping everyone to cope with the situation.

He also said that Vice President Jejomar Binay met Governor Tanco and himself, Nov. 14, after distributing relief assistance to their Makati City Sister towns in Capiz. (JCM/JBG/PIA6-Capiz)

A Canadian medic checks on a child in an evacuation center outside of Roxas City, Capiz. (Embassy of Canada)

Cebu provincial gov't delivers aid to storm-hit areas

The 302nd Brigade and 12th Infantry Battalion facilitated the Oriental Negros Children’s Advocacy Network in the delivery of 100 sacks of rice for donations to thousands of victims of Typhoon Yolanda. (PA/ PIA7-NegOr)

More on Region 7, pages 4-5.

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EASTERN VISAYAS

BY: RACHELLE M. NESSIA CEBU (PIA) --- With Cebu still reeling from the devastation left by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake, local and national governments are responding to the urgent needs of affected families in the province.

As of Nov. 11, the Cebu provincial government through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWD) has extended aid to 11,730 families in north Cebu.

According to a statement from Cebu provincial government, at least 17 towns in Cebu received family packs containing rice, canned goods, noodles, and bottled mineral water.

The relief goods were distributed by PSWDO personnel starting Nov. 9, a day after Typhoon Yolanda, touted as one of the strongest storms ever to hit this year, pummeled central Philippines .

Cebu provincial information office reported that PSWDO, together with other Cebu government offices, attended to affected families in the following areas in the north: Borbon, Daanbantayan, Tabogon, Liloan, Carmen, Sogod, Medellin, San Remigio, Bantayan Island, Sta. Fe, Madredijos, Bogo City, Poro, Pilar,

Tudela, San Francisco of Camotes Island, and Minglanilla town in the south.

A day after the storm struck, Gov. Hilario Davide III led a team that went to the north to assess the situation in the area.

The team was composed of some members from Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergency Management, provincial government, and telecommunications companies.

Badly affected are mostly northern towns in north Cebu, particularly Bantayan Island, Daanbantayan, and Bogo City which became isolated as the storm downed communication lines and power in the area.

The team has since then set up a high-frequency radio in Bantayan Island .

Cell sites of telecommunication companies have also been restored in the island.

Cebu Provincial Information Officer Ethel Natera said the provincial government through PSWDO continues to repack relief goods at the social welfare office at the Capitol area. (RMN/ PIA Cebu )

Palace reassures Tacloban folks of continued relief, services President Benigno S. Aquino III assures enough relief food for victims of 'Yolanda' as he visits the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) relief hub in Tacloban City, Sunday, November 17, 2013. (Photo by DSWD)

More on Region 8, pages 6-7.

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MANILA, Nov. 17 -- Malacañang on Saturday reassured residents of Tacloban City, one of the areas hit hardest by super typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan), of continued relief and other forms of assistance in the coming weeks.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said construction of bunkhouses for those displaced by Yolanda will start next week.

“Next week, sisimulan ang construction ng bunkhouses para sa ating evacuees (Next week we will start constructing bunkhouses for the evacuees).

We are doing to do more and more as each day

passes for them,” she said on state-run dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

She also said there will be an assessment soon of the evacuees’ needs.

Valte said the government wants to give them the option of returning to their homes or going somewhere else.

But for now, she said the important thing is to provide relief for those affected, along with trauma counseling and stress debriefing.

“At this time, they will continue to be assisted by the government,” she said. (www.pcoo.gov.ph/PND (jl)

WESTERN VISAYAS

2 Schools used as typhoon victims

temporary

shelters

for Bugtong Bato falls in Tibiao, Antique

BY: LEONARD T. PINEDA I

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 11 (PIA6) --- The Department of Education (DepEd)-6 reported that around 111 public schools are being used as evacuation centers providing temporary shelter to families affected by the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda.

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epEd-6 Regional Information Officer Lea Belleza said that their division offices are working closely with their respective local government units and social welfare offices to check on the conditions of the evacuees and to provide immediate assistance.

As of November 10, around 57 schools serve as evacuation centers in Capiz, 47 in Negros Occidental, 5 in Iloilo City, and one in Guimaras, as shown in

the report of DepEd-6.

Ocular inspections and clearing operations are ongoing in the provinces of Aklan, Antique, and northern part of Iloilo.

The report revealed that an estimated 80-90 percent of schools in Capiz were damaged and the roof of the covered gym of Dao National High School totally collapsed.

In Iloilo province, 94 percent of schools in Ajuy town were damaged and

two classrooms collapsed in Aglobong Primary School in Janiuay due to landslide.

The Divisions of Sagay City, La Carlota City, Kabankalan City, and San Carlos City in Negros Occidental reported no damaged schools, properties, or injuries among personnel, teachers, and students.

Classes are still suspended in the divisions of Capiz and Roxas City and schools in the Fifth District of Iloilo. (JCM/ LTP/PIA-Iloilo)

RDRRMC puts up command post to hasten relief aid ILOILO CITY, Nov. 12 (RDRRMC/PIA6) -- The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council-6 (RDRRMC -6) here has put up an Incident Command Post at the Iloilo Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo to speed up the distribution of relief goods to areas affected by Typhoon “Yolanda” in Western Visayas.

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he command post is housed at the Administration and Logistics Building of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) at the airport located some 21 kilometers from here.

The facility will be serving as center for the collection and distribution of relief goods to needy areas by means of land, air and sea transport.

RDRRMC-6 chair and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Regional Director Rosario Cabrera said relief goods are airlifted as much as possible since there are still areas that are not accessible by

other means.

On standby at the airport are 2 Huey helicopters from the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) for use in airlifting relief goods and other contingency operations in the aftermath of one of the strongest tropical storms to hit the country.

The Incident Command Post has two organizational units for Operation and Logistics. Operation is in charge of relief, search and retrieval, medical and water/ sanitation/health (WASH), and camp management, while Logistics handles transportation and dispatch,

communication, food unit, and receiving and distribution of donations.

The command post units are manned by representatives of concerned member-government agencies of the council. Donors however can still hand in their donations to the Department of Social Welfare and Development – 6 (DSWD) here.

Meanwhile, RDRRMC said the Department of Labor and Employment-6 has allotted some P5 million for emergency employment to typhoon-affected workers. (RDRRMC/ PIA6)

Aklan lists 11 ‘Yolanda’ deaths; damages breach P1-B BY: VENUS G. VILLANUEVA KALIBO, Aklan, Nov. 14 (PIA6) -- Eleven (11) Aklanons have died due to Yolanda’s fury in Aklan while damage wrought by the howler here has breached the P1-billion mark already.

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his was the latest information provided by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) as of P12:00 p.m. of Nov. 14.

Of the dead, 6 are from Libacao, 2 from Banga and one each from Lezo, Malinao and New Washington.

The number of injured Aklanons is now listed at 188, with the biggest number coming from Kalibo with 97 followed by Lezo with 41, Banga, 19, Tangalan, 9; Libacao with 7, Malinao with 5, New Washington, 3; Batan and Numancia with 2 each and Makato, Malay and Ibajay, 1 each.

Of Aklan’s 17 towns, five towns have no report on deaths or injuries – Altavas, Balete, Buruanga, Madalag, and Nabas.

Meanwhile, Aklan’s cost of damage on agriculture, lifelines, infrastructure and public utilities has already breached the P1 billion-mark.

The latest report bared that total amount of damage is now P1,200,208,908.00.

Of these amount, agriculture listed the highest damage with P849,382,908.00, followed by infrastructure with P312,221,000.00; public utilities with P35,605,000.00 and lifelines with P3,000,000.00.

For agriculture, Libacao incurred the biggest loss with P451,050,000.00 followed

by Banga with P150,430,036.00; Balete, P96,540,100.00; New Washington, P57,447,636.52; Kalibo, P32,000,000.00; Altavas, P28,647,000.00; Lezo, P12,408,85.00; Ibajay, P11,762,055.00; Buruanga, P7,401,920.00;Madalag, P1,539,300.00 and Nabas, P61,000.00.

Six towns – Batan, Makato, Malinao, New Washington, Numancia and Tangalan have yet to submit their damages on agriculture.

Most of the towns with big losses in agriculture are rice-producing municipalities. (JCM/VGV PIA6 Aklan)

WESTERN VISAYAS

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DA, Jaro Archdiocese farming complex Mag Mag--aso falls in Kabankalan, Neg. Occidental

launch

organic

BY: ELSA S. SUBONG

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 13 (PIA6) -- Government and Church here have sealed their commitment for the advancement of organic farming with the launching of the P5-million Organic Production Complex at Bgy. Talibong, Zarraga, Iloilo.

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his partnership is between the Department of Agriculture-6 with Director Larry Nacionales and the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center (JASAC) SEED Foundation, led by its Executive Director, Msgr.

Meliton Oso. The DA-6 has funded P4 million for the project, P2.5 million from the High Value Crops Development Program and P1.5 million from the Agri-Business and Marketing Assistance Division.

The JASAC, on the other hand, gave a counterpart of P1 million for the completion of the complex.

The partners then initiated several projects which included a municipal food terminal, screen house facilities, organic fertilizer

production plant complex, greenhouse, post harvest facilities and farm mechanization as well as the social empowerment and enterprise development component.

Jaro Archbishop Msgr. Angel Lagdameo led the blessing ceremony of the organic livestock building, multiple warehouse, the organic concoctions laboratory, seed bank, feed mill building, screen house and the staff house.

Zarraga Mayor John Tarrosa and Director Nacionales said they were grateful for the common commitment to organic agriculture.

Nacionales said it is important to consider the symbiotic relationship of biotechnology in relation to society and the environment.

JASAC SEED Foundation Project Leader Daniel del Rosario said it is their aim to promote the practice of organic agriculture as a way of nurturing a sustainable environment, production of affordable, healthy food and reduction of poverty among small farmers and farming communities.

He added that for the last 18 years, JASAC has invested in capacity-building, facilitating training on organic farming for more than 3,000 small farmers in Iloilo.

Msgr. Oso also said that JASAC considers the moral dimension in business, on top of uplifting the lives of poor farmers and the agrarian reform beneficiaries through organic farming.

(JCM/ESS/PIA-Iloilo)

Antique allocates 1.2-M for medicines, supplies BY: PILAR S. MABAQUIAO SAN JOSE, Antique Nov 13 (PIA6) - - The Antique Provincial Health Office (PHO) reported that a total of P1.2 million worth of medicines and medical supplies was allocated from the calamity fund of the provincial government for victims of typhoon Yolanda in Antique.

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nformation Officer Irene Dulduco of Antique Provincial Health in an interview said that PHO earlier released boxes of medicines to Rural Health Units in the towns of the province and 8 hospitals prior to the onslaught of the super typhoon to ensure the timely response to the medical needs of the people affected.

After the typhoon, Dulduco said, health authorities in the north have

requested for additional assistance due to massive evacuation of affected families.

The Department of Health has also provided medicines and supplies.

Water containers with waterine solution are also being given to communities which have scarce or no supply of drinking water, the source said.

The Antique Medical Society also extended medical services on Sunday in Tibiao, Antique.

A composite team from Department of Health Region 6 led by Dr. Emelia Monicimpo and PHO was off to the northern towns of the province to conduct rapid health assessment.

Among their concerns are disease surveillance, nutrition, water sanitation and hygiene of communities affected by Typhoon Yolanda. (JCM/PSM/ PIA6Antique)

Bacolod City, Negros Occidental hosting of Batang Pinoy postponed BY: EASTER ANNE D. DOZA NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Nov. 13 (PIA6) - - Although the province of Negros Occidental and the capital city of Bacolod were not as badly hit by Typhoon Yolanda, the Philippine Sports Commission postponed the holding of Batang Pinoy 2013 originally set on November 19-23, 2013.

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SC Commissioner Jose Luis “Jolly” Gomez informed Governor Alfredo G. Marañon about the postponement since most participants cannot make it to the sporting event since they are suffering from the wrath of the typhoon.

“More than 400 athlete-medalists will not be able to participate in the event including those coming from Leyte and Cebu provinces,

constituting 20 percent of the total athlete-medalists who are scheduled to participate in the said national event because of the typhoon,” Gomez explained.

Bacolod City and Negros Occidental have expressed readiness in hosting the event but the lack of communication and the difficulty of transportation in the typhoon-affected areas are big factors in the postponement decision.

The games are re-scheduled on the first week of February next year which according to Gomez is a good avenue for the athletes to have more time to warm up for the games.

Batang Pinoy is considered one of the biggest sporting events in the country producing high calibre athletes, some making it to the national teams.* (JCM/EAD-PIA6/Capitol News Negros Occidental)

4

CENTRAL VISAYAS

EDC continues power supply in Visayas region BY: JENNIFER C.TILOS

Kawasan Falls in Badian, Cebu

DUMAGUETE CITY, Nov. 10 (PIA) -- As Typhoon Yolanda wreaked havoc in the Visayas region it also destroyed power lines which led to heavy and rotating brownouts since November 8 up to press time.

E

nergy Development Corporation’s (EDC) Palinpinon 1 and 2 power plants also experienced a temporary outage due to the widespread destruction in the Visayas power grid at the height of the super typhoon, EDC public relations officer Frances Ariola said.

“This incident damaged one of EDC’s geothermal steam pipes. The damage has caused steam to escape and create an unusually loud noise at around 6:00 p.m. as the power plants tried to power up and go back to the system to prevent further brownouts,” Ariola explained.

The loud rumbling sound brought

unnecessary panic to many residents in nearby communities of Palinpinon plants, thinking it was a “buhawi” coming from OKoy River .

“EDC deeply regret this incident that caused unnecessary inconvenience to the local communities,” said Ariola.

However, she said EDC immediately attended to the situation at the site and focused its attention to ensure that no physical damage or harm was brought to the communities as it worked to bring back power to the Visayas region.

“While we worked hard to prevent such an occurrence, we are also prepared to respond to emergencies in cases when it could

not be prevented. Our men braved the typhoon to immediately respond to this emergency by containing the pipe damage and eliminating the loud sound at the soonest possible time, the EDC official explained.

EDC and National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) jointly responded at once to energize the Negros Island and restored power from Amlan substation to NORECO. At around 6:00 p.m. on the same day, the Amlan substation, through the power supplied

by EDC’s Palinpinon power plants, energized Dumaguete and Bindoy feeders. (mbcn/JCT/ PIA7-Negros Oriental)

Safe water supply priority of Yolanda-hit Cebu towns BY: FERLIZA C. CONTRATISTA MANDAUE CITY , Nov. 13 (PIA)--- Local government officials in northern towns of Cebu that were heavily hit by typhoon Yolanda are prioritizing the provision of safe and normal water supply for their constituents.

F

earing that an epidemic is likely to occur with residents getting drinking water from conventional water sources, the local government officials of Bogo City and municipalities of San Remegio, Daanbantayan, and Medellin are working on normalizing their water systems.

Since it may still take a few more days or even a month to restore the electricity in the affected areas, San Remegio Mayor Mariano Martinez said he is now sourcing out generator sets to power up water lines.

Martinez said a good Samaritan from Cebu City lent them for free a generator set which is enough to bring water to 13 of its 27 total barangays.

San Remegio has about 5,000 families

affected by typhoon Yolanda.

In Daanbantayan, Mayor Augusto Corro said he has already instructed the Rural Health Unit to make sure that there is enough supply of chlorine to ensure the safety of alternative water sources.

“People are expected to use the deep wells now that there is no water in their homes and it is there that the danger comes in,” Corro said.

Daanbantayan has about 12,000 families deeply affected by the typhoon.

In Medellin , four of the six power systems are expected to be normalized as of Tuesday, according to Medellin Vice Mayor Alfonso Lim. The Municipality was able to rent two

generator sets a day after the typhoon.

Lim said they are expecting the pledges from Asturias and Aloguinsan.

By yesterday morning, the generator lent

by Asturias Mayor Alan Adlawan arrived in Medellin .

Medellin has more than 5,000 affected residents.

The City of Bogo , also badly hit, is implementing a rotational water supply.

Vice Mayor Santiago Sevilla assured they have one big generator set that can power up the water system of the whole city but on rotational basis.

Water for those in the mountain barangays, he said, were being delivered by the City Fire Station. (rmn/FCC/PIA-Cebu)

Smart, Sun restore cellular services in Tacloban, other sites CEBU, Nov. 11 (PIA) – Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has restored cellular coverage at the downtown area of Tacloban City as of 7 A.M. today.

S

mart in a press release to PIA7 said, two more areas in Tacloban City are expected to have network coverage by end of day.

Subscribers of Sun Cellular of Digitel Mobile Philippines, Inc. (DMPI) in the area have also been provided access to the Smart network to boost their signal.

Since Saturday, Smart has been offering Libreng Tawag in Tacloban City . Free calls and texts are being offered to residents at the Libreng Tawag station at the VNG Subdivision and at the PLDT Office using Smart Satellite Services.

Another Libreng Tawag Station is ongoing at the police station near the Tacloban City Hall in partnership with humanitarian organization Telecoms Sans Frontieres.

Smart public affairs group head, Ramon Isberto said, “ While Tacloban City still suffers from total power outage and damage to communications infrastructure, Smart has been working closely with the national government in providing rapid deployment and restoration of facilities.”

Isberto added, this is just the start and more sites are expected to be up in the next days as the engineers work round the clock to ensure that people and communities can be connected.

Network restoration for both Smart and Sun Cellular is underway in other areas devastated by Super Typhoon Yolanda with more teams and equipment deployed, Isberto said.

“We appreciate the immediate assistance given by various government units like the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Air Force (AFP) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in transporting our equipment,” Isberto added.

Libreng Tawag services are also ongoing at the Tubigon Community Hospital in Potohan, Tubigon, Bohol; Smart Retail Store and City Plaza in Ormoc City ; and Smart cell site in Sta. Fe, Cebu; and Cultural Center of Bantayan Island, Cebu .

Smart also offered free calls to the typhoon

victims in the middle of the Tacloban Grandstand’s football field and another one at the Ormoc Airport using satellite phones.

The public can also proceed to the following sites to charge the batteries of their mobile handsets: Smart Sta. Fe cell site in Cebu; Municipal Hall in San Francisco, Camotes, Cebu; Smart cell site at Old Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan; Smart cell site in Roxas City proper, and Smart Retail Store in Ormoc City , the release reads.

According to Smart, immediately after Typhoon Yolanda hit the country, Smart Satellite Service was deployed and continue to augment the communications needs in the area.

Through Smart’s partnership with Thuraya Satellite, fixed satellite phone and satellite sleeves that can transform iPhones to satellite units have been deployed.

Access to the Internet has been made available to select agencies through BGAN satellite technology, Smart said. (mbcn/PIA7 with reports from Smart)

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Casaroro Falls in Valencia, Negros Oriental

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PDRRMC NegOr says no major damage during TY Yolanda BY: ROI ANTHONI B. LOMOTAN

NEGROS ORIENTAL, Nov. 9 (PIA) – The Provincial Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) noted no major casualty in Negros Oriental after Typhoon “Yolanda.”

DRRMC head Adrian Sedillo said the The provincial government was also ready Typhoon Yolanda, one of the strongest governor was glad that no big harm to give augmentation to relief operations typhoon that hit the country this year, caused happened in the province on the conducted by different local government units power blackout in the province. onslaught of the strong typhoon.

(LGUs).

An advisory from then National Grid He said the governor thanked the public The provincial government gave 50 sacks Corporation of the Philippines disclosed that for responding to the provincial government’s of rice to the city government of Dumaguete the Negros grid collapsed because of absence pro-active measures to prevent casualties from and 14 sacks of rice to the local government of of load due to typhoon Yolanda. happening.

Valencia as augmentation to their relief efforts.

By 6:00 pm, electricity was restored only However, Sedillo clarified that they This after the two LGUs coordinated with in some portions of Dumaguete City . continue to verify reports that some people in the PDRRMC and asked for assistance.

“We already advised (the public) to Guihulngan City and Vallehermoso town were The PDRRMC personnel were on standby prepare survival kits. Gov. Degamo emphasized injured when Typhoon Yolanda stormed mode as typhoon Yolanda traversed Negros to ready flashlights and emergency lights since Negros Oriental the whole day.

Provinces by 9:00-11:00 this morning. we already expect power outages,” Sedillo Throughout the day, the whole province Weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric advised those living in areas with no electricity. experienced overcast skies and moderate to Geophysical and Astronomical Services PDRRMC Head Adrian Sedillo hopes that heavy rains with strong winds.

Administration (PAGASA) reported that the no bad weather system would intervene or PDRRMC estimated the number of typhoon made five landfalls, the last was in take place after Typhoon Yolanda leaves the evacuees provincewide at 15,000 individuals.

Concepcion , Iloilo at around 12 noon. country. (mbcn/RAL/PIA7-NEGOR)

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Negros Oriental's aid for calamity-hit areas reaches P11-M By: Jennifer C. Tilos NEGROS ORIENTAL, Nov. 13 (PIA) -- After a series of calamities hit the country recently, Negros Oriental government has been extending cash assistance which has now reached to P11 million for affected local government units (LGUs).

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he Negros Oriental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) yesterday passed another resolution to set aside P4 million as financial assistance to areas affected by killer Typhoon Yolanda.

Taken from the Quick Response Fund, the aid will be sent soonest to victims after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan’s approval.

Initially, the province released P6M as aid for Bayawan City, Basay town, Zamboanga City, and Cebu and Bohol provinces, then another P1M for Sta. Catalina, and the P4M for Yolanda affected areas.

In response to the aftermath, Governor Roel Degamo has announced that the provincial government is accepting donations in cash or in kind to help in the on-going relief operations in various parts of the country.

The donations can be coursed through the Provincial Social Welfare & Development

Office (PSWDO) or directly to the office of the governor.

Gov Degamo enjoins everyone to pray for the soul of those who perished and for the rest of the victims.

Degamo had been reminding local disaster risk reduction management councils to take proactive measures as TY Yolanda and TD Zoraida were supposed to hit the province to minimize the impact that may result flash floods and landslides in the province.

He said preparations have paid off with a zero casualty among Negrenses.

However, PSWDO reported that 4,778 families in 72 barangays from 14 municipalities and cities were affected by TY Yolanda.

With this, the National Food Authority (NFA) has released 875 sacks of rice to seven LGUs a day before typhoon hit the country.

Accordingly, NFA provincial head Carlos

Cortes has urged LGUs to sign the memorandum of agreement between the NFA for a credit line in case of calamity or emergency.

Cortes said once LGUs sign the agreement for the NFA credit scheme, they can avail of emergency and stockpiling credits.

Cortes revealed that only four LGUs have MOAs with NFA which include cities of Dumaguete, Guihulngan, Canlaon and Ayungon town.

“We sent letters to them to remind with signed received last January and despite our follow-ups, most LGUs have not responded yet,” said Cortes.

Under the scheme, LGUs can get rice credit during calamities for as many as 1,000 sacks for towns, 2,000 sacks for cities and 5,000 sacks for the province on a monthly basis. (rmn/JCT/PIA7-Negros Oriental)

DTI initiates Diskwento Caravan in Ormoc Cebu, Nov. 15 (PIA) --- The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) here held a Diskwento Caravan in Ormoc City particular in areas mostly affected by super typhoon Yolanda recently.

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he move aimed to stabilize food supply and bring basic necessities at discounted rate and prices to these areas suffering from the aftermath of typhoon Yolanda.

In the conduct of the Diskwento Caravan in Ormoc DTI Central Visayas regional office is closely coordinating with the DTI Eastern Visayas Office, the Local Government Unit (LGU) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Products featured in the Diskwento Caravan include bottled water,canned

goods, coffee, milk, noodles, rice, biscuits, bread, among others.

DTI Central Visayas Office is bringing retailers and manufacturers in Cebu such as San Miguel Corporation, Gardenia, NutriAsia, Nestle and Century Canning to the calamity stricken Ormoc City.

In a press release, DTI-Central Visayas regional director Asteria Caberte said that the DTI conducts Diskwento Caravans in calamity areas to ensure that local consumers will have enough access to

essential goods and that prices of basic commodities are stabilized amid the crisis consumers faced.

The Diskwento Caravan is a project of the DTI which upholds the rights of consumers to have access to prime and basic goods.

For more information on the Diskwento Caravan in Ormoc, interested parties may contact the following telephone numbers: DTI-Region 7 (032) 255.0036 or 255.0037. (mbcn/AYS/PIA7 with reports from DTI)

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EASTERN VISAYAS

Help pours to typhoon-affected areas

Ban Ban--awan falls in Lawaan, E. Samar

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 18 (PIA) – Government and various volunteer organizations as well as foreign governments and aid institutions are helping Tacloban City and other areas in Eastern Visayas affected by typhoon “Yolanda”.

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mong the major developments are the deployment by the government of more police personnel to help in relief operations and security.

Military engineers and special forces are also in Tacloban to join other uniformed personnel to help in overall relief operations and maintenance of peace and order.

The Metro Manila Development Authority sent teams on “mercy mission” to Eastern Visayas.

The Department of Trade and Industry has imposed a price freeze on products in calamity-stricken areas.

The city government of Makati has

pledged P50 million for “Yolanda” victims.

The city of Caloocan extended P2 million.

Maynilad has donated P1 million even as Metro Manila local government units have adopted stricken counterparts in the Visayas.

The United States government has committed an additional US$10 million for typhoon-hit areas and deployed the USS George Washington and other ships of the Pacific Fleet to Eastern Visayas to conduct relief operations.

The government of Canada has sent in its Disaster Assistance and Response Team to the Visayas to extend the help of the people of Canada.

His Holiness Pope Francis donated US$150,000 for victims of typhoon Yolanda.

Other foreign governments and organizations are helping typhoon-affected areas.

Other local government units and private organizations in the country that were not hit by the super typhoon have come to the help of the Visayas which was the worst affected.

The government assured typhoon victims of sustained efforts to alleviate their plight and help them get back on their feet after reeling from the super typhoon.

(PIA-6)

South Leyte LGU intensifies peace and order monitoring By: Erna S. Gorne MAASIN CITY, Leyte, Nov. 17 (PIA) – The Provincial Government of Southern Leyte has intensified its monitoring of the peace and order situation in line with the effects of super typhoon Yolanda in the entire Eastern Visayas Region.

G

overnor Roger Mercado said that daily meetings are being conducted

by Provincial Incident Command System members since the occurrence of Typhoon Yolanda in order to ensure close monitoring of the peace and order situation in the province.

Discussed during the meeting is the daily report on the peace and order

situation in the province.

Long queue at the ATM outlets, gasoline pumping stations were observed since Monday in Maasin City due to the effects of typhoon Yolanda that spilled over the province.

Several reports mentioned of a looting incident at Gasiano department store and an incident of armed robbery in

Sogod, which prompted the provincial government to stay alert.

Governor Mercado called on the residents of Southern Leyte to be vigilant and to report unusual occurrences in their respective areas.

He also assured the residents that Southern Leyte remains an orderly and peaceful province. (PIA8-SoLeyte)

Mayor reinforces implementation of curfew ordinance in Maasin By: Rebecca S. Cadavos MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Nov. 17 (PIA) -- Maasin City Mayor Maloney Samaco issued Executive Order No. 09, series of 2013, reinforcing the implementation of the curfew ordinance of the city of Maasin due to the declaration of State of Calamity in the entire Eastern Visayas Region.

T

he curfew ordinance was reinforced due to the effects of the recent Typhoon Yolanda that hit the provinces of Eastern Visayas, The EO stated that the “City of Maasin along with other municipalities in region 8 is experiencing major power outage with no definite time of resolution by the electric company and the same current and pressing situations may affect the security and safety of the public.”

It urges the city government to

strictly implement the General Curfew based on Municipal Ordinance No. 86-40 as Amended by Municipal Ordinance 86-41A, 92-61, 99-148 and City Ordinance 2003-017.

“It will be implemented effectively immediately and until the state of emergency/state of calamity has been lifted or the power outage has been resolved whichever comes later,” the executive order said.

The EO also stated to order the

Philippine National Police (PNP) and deputize the Punong Barangay, Barangay Kagawads and Barangay Tanods to ensure the implementation of the ordinance in the city and in the respective barangays and notify all government agencies, instrumentalities, the media, among other private sector for the widest dissemination of this order.

The EO was issued November 13, 2013 at the city of Maasin and signed by Mayor Maloney Samaco. (PIA8-SoLeyte)

EASTERN VISAYAS

Singer from R8 Bangon Falls in Calbayog City, Samar

7

EcoWaste Coalition asks for toys, books for child survivors

QUEZON CITY, Nov. 18 (PIA) - The EcoWaste Coalition called on the public to donate new or used toys, and books for the children who survived super typhoon Yolanda.

I

n a statement, EcoWaste Coalition National Coordinator Aileen Lucero said having toys to play with and books to read will help the children cope with their current situation.

“While we know that the support and encouragement from adults is key to enabling affected kids cope with the mounting death and despair around them, we believe that books to read and toys to play with can help them face the tragedy with more hopefulness,” Lucero said.

She added that it’s important for these kids to have something to cheer

them up amid the destruction and also help the children overcome their trauma and anxiety.

Lucero also reminded donors not to give broken toys and said such toys (broken) might only hurt the kids or add to negative emotions instead of instilling positive attitudes among them.

She also requested donors to refrain from giving toys made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and things that children can put into their mouths to avoid potential ingestion of harmful chemical additives.

The group said it will examine the

toys for chemical and potential hazards before sending them to child survivors through church, community or professional associations.

The donated toys will be screened using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer to determine if the toys given are safe from toxic metals such as cadmium, lead and mercury.

All toys and books for donations can be sent to EcoWaste Coalition at Unit 329, Eagle Court, 26 Matalino St., Barangay Central, Quezon City until November 30, 2013. (CBCP/RJB/JEG/ PIA-NCR)

U.S. gives additional $10-M aid for relief effort MANILA, Nov. 18 (PIA) – The United States government through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided additional $10 million in humanitarian aid for those affected by the super typhoon.

U

SAID Assistant Administrator of Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance Nancy E. Lindborg said the additional aid would help restore clean water in and around Tacloban and will provide additional support the massive logistics operation dispatching and distributing relief supplies to those in need. would sum up America’s humanitarian aid to more than

$37 million.

“The devastation left in the wake of the typhoon is truly staggering.

Our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods,” said Assistant Administrator Lindborg after completing an aerial assessment of the affected areas.

She also said that the additional funds will allow much-needed relief supplies to

reach hard-hit areas and ensure that 200,000 people in and around Tacloban have clean running water.

Meanwhile, the United States is continuously providing airlift and logistics capacity, food aid, shelter materials, clean water, and hygiene education and supplies to help those who were affected by super typhoon Yolanda. (US Embassy, Manila/ RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)

Biliran PDRRMC continues distribution of relief goods to typhoon victims By: Flordeliz Jackson NAVAL, Biliran, Nov. 14 (PIA) – The Biliran Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) chaired by Governor Gerardo “Gerryboy” Espina, Jr. continues the distribution of relief goods to victims of super typhoon Yolanda that hit the province on November 8, 2013.

T

his was learned by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Biliran Provincial Information Center from Sofronio Dacillo, Executive Officer of the Biliran PDRRMC. He informed that distrubtion of relief goods is channeled through the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) headed by Flordeliza Trani, Provinci al Soci al Welfare and Development Officer.

In an interview, Ms. Trani said that there is a total of some 15,237 families with 65,083 persons affected when super typhoon Yolanda hit Biliran province.

She informed that the total number of

families served in evacuation centers totalled to some 2,233 families with 20,284 persons.

Served outside of the evacuation centers were 1,179 families with 7,121 persons.

A total of 161 evacuation centers were established in the eight municipalities of Biliran province.

Ms. Trani reported that partially damaged houses provincewide totalled to some 11, 359 while totally damaged houses numbered 4,488 or a total of 15,847.

Total cost of damage is P65,229,600.

There were four casualties reported and 27 persons injured.

Further Ms. Trani informed that PSWDO prepared food packs consisting of two kilos rice, two packs noodles and two cans sardines for victims with partially damaged houses while food packs containing three kilos of rice, one pack powdered milk, two cans corned beef, two cans beef loaf and three packs noodles were given to typhoon victims with totally damaged houses.

As of now, Ms. Trani informed that they have already served 2,300 food packs to typhoon victims.

The packing of relief goods and distribution will continue until all victims will be served, she said. (PIA 8 Biliran)

One Visayas e‐newsletter is published weekly by the Visayas Regional Cluster of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) comprising Region 6, 7 and 8. Its main editorial office is located at PIA Region 6, Iloilo City.

One Visayas e‐newsletter is part of the online news and information dissemination services of PIA and is powered by www.issuu.com. For inquiries and suggestions, call Tel. Nos. (033) 3378718/3377301 or e‐mail piaamo6@yahoo.com.

Ms. Minerva BC Newman Regional Director, PIA 7

Editorial Consultants Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, Ph. D. Regional Director, PIA6

Ms. Erlinda Olivia P. Tiu Regional Director, PIA8

Managing Editor Jaime S. Cabag, Jr. Contributors All PIA Information Officers of Regions 6, 7 & 8 Production and Layout Edson J. Bañares Lynnor C. Regalado Regional Offices:

PIA 6, 2/F RC Building, Rizal St., Iloilo City, Iloilo 5000, Tel. Nos. (033) 337-8719/3377301/509-0993, Fax No. (033) 337-8719/509-0993, e-mail: r6_pia@yahoo.com/ piaamo6@yahoo.com PIA 7, Room 304, 3/F Machay Bldg., Garardo Avenue, Cebu City, Cebu 6000, Telefax No. (032) 232-4062/232-4126, e-mail: pia7_cebu@yahoo.com.ph/r7_pia@yahoo.com PIA 8, Children’s Park Compound, Sen. Enage St., Tacloban City, Leyte 6500, Tel. No. (053) 325-5124, Telefax No. (053) 321-2029, e-mail: pia_ev@yahoo.com/r8_pia@yahoo.com